Two simultaneous five-alarm fires in northeast Dallas caused more than $1.6 million in damage and pressed high-ranking Dallas Fire-Rescue supervisors into firefighting duties, department officials said Thursday.

The massive blazes, one at an apartment complex and one at a condo complex, occurred within three miles of each other Wednesday evening. The unusual circumstances left dozens of firefighters to battle the flames — some went to both fires — and brought top commanders to the scenes, including Chief Louie Bright III.

Fire department spokesman Jason Evans said deputy chiefs took command of the firefighting efforts, which he said is not unusual when a blaze reaches three-alarm status. One assistant chief was also on call, but others showed up because of the circumstances, Evans said.

He said that Bright visited both scenes to make “sure everything was going smoothly.”

No civilian injuries were reported at either fire. One firefighter suffered minor burns at one of the blazes. He was treated at a Dallas-area hospital and released.

First fire

The first fire, which officials say caused more than $1.6 million in damage, started shortly after 6 p.m. Wednesday in the 9400 block of Timberleaf Drive in Lake Highlands.

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